Vallone’s names Chuck Criswell as its opening general manager

Chuck Criswell has been named general manager for the soon-to-open Vallone’s.

Criswell, a Houston native, landed his first restaurant job — as busboy — at age 15 and worked his way through the ranks. Most recently he’s been in the front of houe at the Tasting Room and Eddie V’s in CityCentre. (He also is the son of longtime Chronicle food editor Ann Criswell.)

“I was honored that Tony Vallone considered me for this position,” Criswell said in a release. “He’s the man who put the Houston restaurant scene on the map and he’s the one who’s brought it national recognition. It was a huge honor to be included in such a talented team.”

Vallone’s, a steakhouse that will be helmed by chef Grant Gordon, another Houston native, is expected to open in late November. Its first event, a benefit for the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, has been postponed until Nov. 25. The restaurant will open to the public shortly afterwards.

“When we first decided to open Vallone’s in the Memorial area, one name kept coming up again and again before we even began asking and that name was Chuck Criswell,” said Scott Sulma, one of the partners behind the new restaurant, in a release. “And once we met him and saw him in action, he was the natural choice, with his friendliness and his attention to detail. The reputation that preceded him was spot on.”